As the first playoffs of the 2001-2002 school year approach the condition of Memorial Stadium has once again come into play.

WIAA District-1, of which Oak Harbor is a member, must approve District-1 playoff sites based on field and seating conditions, as well as other criteria, with an emphasis on field condition as well as dimensions. Last year Memorial Stadium met the District-1 requirements and the Wildcats were able to host a girls soccer playoff game against Redmond.

The District has approved Oak Harbor to host a district playoff game for the second straight year.

“We obviously want to host those games,” said Oak Harbor AD Jeff Stone. “Our teams are used to the natural grass as games in the northend are largely played on natural surfaces. And our soccer teams are used to a grass field that is flat and wide.”

The flat issue comes into play at some artificial fields that are sloped towards the sidelines to aid drainage, especially in the South Division. Players can find themselves running up or downhill depending on their position on the field.

When hosting a District-1 playoff match, Oak Harbor teams not only would enjoy a home-field advantage, but also a turf advantage. Having a game at home on natural grass adds an obvious benefit to Oak Harbor teams.

Snohomish and Cascade – who plays its home games at Everett Memorial Stadium – are the exceptions as both venues have artificial turf.

Once the postseason begins. sites must be approved by the WIAA in order to host a state playoff event. The WIAA requires facilities to meet certain requirements, including field conditions, covered seating capacity, locker room availability, number of rest rooms, proximity to medical facilities and so forth.

If a higher-seeded school does not meet the requirements set by the WIAA, the event will be scheduled on a neutral site that does meet requirements.

Cindy Adsit, assistant director of the WIAA spoke of the state governing body’s approach to determining where state playoff events can be played. “Through district and Bi-district play we leave the decision up to the respective districts. They each set their criteria.”

“On the state level, we want to know about the condition of the field and whether it is large enough to meet National Federation measurement standards. Some fields are too small, particularly with regards to width required for soccer,” Adsit added.

“Our desire is that all games played in the state tournament will be played on the same sized fields,” added Adsit.

Other WIAA issues range from entrances, public telephones, training rooms, concession stands, press area capacity, parking, motel/hotel rooms, eating facilities and emergency services. But by and large the key factor is the quality of the venue for the participants and spectators. It comes down to playing surface, seating capacity and quality.

Last year Oak Harbor’s girl’s soccer team qualified for the state playoffs. As a second seed they had to play on the road. Had they been a number-one, they would have played at home. But that would not have happened, and won’t again this year, as Memorial Stadium does not meet WIAA requirements to host a state playoff game at the 4A level.

“It’s a sad commentary when the kids work hard to make it to state, and know that they cannot play a game on their home field no matter where they are seeded,” said Stone.